Sergei Samsonov | Winger

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Unrestricted free agent Sergei Samsonov, has been practicing with some Detroit Red Wings in Troy, Michigan.

Samsonov did not play hockey last season after a 13 goal and 40 point season in 2010-11 in a year split between Carolina and Florida. He has been in the Detroit area since the summer as it was thought that former Russian and Red Wing great Igor Larionov was his agent but apparently his agent is Neil Abbott. The former eighth overall selection in the 1997 Draft is now 34 years of age and this could be his last chance at a comeback. Tue, Nov 27, 2012 07:37:00 AM

Contrary to an earlier report, Sergei Samsonov does not have a tryout in place with the San Jose Sharks.

Joe Haggerty reports that Samsonov's agent is actually Neil Abbott and that there are still discussions going on with several teams regarding his client's return to the NHL. "Sergei is definitely making a comeback," Abbott told CSNNE.com. "He is skating with Igor in Detroit, but Larionov is not his agent. I am speaking with several teams and we have not made a deal with the San Jose Sharks." Tue, Aug 21, 2012 05:01:00 PM

According to his agent, Igor Larionov, Sergei Samsonov will receive a tryout with the San Jose Sharks.

Of course that is dependent on players getting a training camp and not being locked out by a potential work stoppage. Samsonov last appeared in the NHL during the 2010-11 campaign when he split time between Carolina and Florida, but he didn't play anywhere last year. Tue, Aug 21, 2012 12:34:00 PM

His work after being acquired from Carolina at the trade deadline was praised by Florida GM Dale Tallon. Samsonov notched three goals and 14 points in 20 games with the Panthers. Tue, Apr 12, 2011 07:01:00 AM

Depth Charts

Aleksander Barkov stretched his point streak to three games on Thursday night.

He earned a helper on a power-play goal by Jaromir Jagr in a 5-1 loss to Pittsburgh. Barkov has scored three goals and added one assist in the last five games after he opened the year with two goals in his first 23 outings.

Nick Bjugstad was shifted back to center prior to the Panthers' 2-0 loss to Ottawa Saturday night.

Bjugstad had a five-game trial on the wing alongside Denis Malgin that didn't work out too well. Panthers' interim coach Tom Rowe shifted Bjugstad back to the pivot position. It doesn't really make much of a difference to Bjugstad's fantasy value as in either case he is still playing on the Cats' third line.

Denis Malgin got a chance to play with Jaromir Jagr and Aleksander Barkov on Monday night versus Boston.

He got the promotion from the third line because of a lower-body injury to Jonathan Marchessault. However, the rookie's pointless streak was extended to nine games in the contest. Malgin has four goals and four assists in 26 contests.

Thompson was called up from AHL Springfield on Sunday. He has six goals and 15 points in 20 AHL contests this season. He's 28 years old and has played in three career NHL games. "I know he’ll be ready to play. He’s got a heavy shot band; he’ll play a hard-nosed, two-way game," Panthers GM/interim coach Tom Rowe said. "He’ll go in and give us a spark. What we really like about him in training camp was how hard he played."

Jaromir Jagr found the back of the net in Thursday's 5-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Panthers may have made a coaching change, but it doesn't seem to have done them much good at this point. They found themselves down 3-0 before Jagr finally got them on the board with his sixth goal of the season. The 44-year-old has six goals and eight assists in 28 games this season.

Reilly Smith picked up his third helper over his last four games during Tuesday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Flyers.

The 25-year-old is now up to six helpers and 10 points on the season through 27 games. This could be the sign that he's turning his campaign around and playing on the top line will certainly help in that regard.

Shawn Thornton will get his fifth game of the season on Saturday against Ottawa.

This will be career game number 660 for the veteran pugilist. He's offered nothing in the way of fantasy production this season, but the Senators do have that Chris Neil guy. Maybe they'll induce a few sparks.

Seth Griffith will be a healthy scratch in Monday's game against the Boston Bruins.

The Bruins put Griffith on waivers and he was claimed by the Panthers earlier this year. The 23-year-old has one assist in 11 games this season. Dylan McIlrath is also expected to watch from the press box.

It was thought that Keith Yandle could miss two weeks after a shot hit his foot on Monday, but he ended up logging 23:57 of ice time on Tuesday versus Philadelphia.

"He played unbelievable," interim coach Tom Rowe said. "That shows you how tough he is, mentally and physically. ... Our trainers deserve a lot of credit for getting him ready. Dave DiNapoli, Tim Witner, and Tommy Alvo, that's a phenomenal medical staff. They had him in the lineup and that's a big help. It's great for the young kids to see that. In a game where he could have mailed in easily and nobody would have said a word, but that's the kind of teammate he is." Yandle has suited up in 578 consecutive games over the last 7 1/2 years.

All of two games now, yes, but a scoring streak nevertheless. The 24-year-old picked up his fourth helper and fifth point of the season during Tuesday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Flyers. Through the first 152 games of his career, Pysyk now has six goals and 31 points.

Roberto Luongo allowed four goals on 29 shots in Thursday's 5-1 loss to the Penguins.

The game was essentially over after the first period with Pittsburgh leading 3-0. Luongo has now dropped three straight starts and he has just one win in his last five games. He'll enter his next start with a 9-8-2 record, a 2.25 goals-against-average and a .923 save percentage.